Tag-stringing machine.



"No- 834,756. PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906.

I. ROBBINS.

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOK FILED APR.2. 1903- a 12 SHEETS-SHEET 14 No. 834,756. PATENTBD OCT;- 30, 1906. I. ROBBINS; TAG STRINGING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED APILZ, 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

minim PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906.

12 Mimics-SHEET 3.

I. ROBBINS.

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1903.

No. 834,756. I PATENTED'OGT. so, 1906.

I. ROBBINS. TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.2. 1903.

No. 834,756. PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906.

I. ROBBINS.

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1903.

12 SHEETS*SHBET 6.

PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906.

I. ROBBINS. TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED .A'PR.2. 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET e.

clm,2y%

No. 884,756. lATENTED 0011?. 30, 1906.

I. ROBBINS.

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ARR.2, 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

No. 834,756. PATENTBD OCT. 30, 1906. I. ROBBINS.

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.Z. 1903.

12 SHEBTSSHEET 8.

m q M7 L 2 240 muunnnnnmun 24/ 1| I l HIHIIII [2Q PATENTED. OCT. 30, 1906.

I. ROBBINS. TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLIGA'IiION FILED APR-2, 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

fi frwsscam 1 v 7W. Q. m

PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906. I. ROBBINS;

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 1o APPLICATION FILED APR.2. 1903.

PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906.

I. ROBBINS. TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

lNo. 884,756.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2. 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

PATENTED OCT. 30, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED APILZ. 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

' looped string in the apertures.

- Pennsylvania, have invented e. Tag-Stringing 8 end 9 are enlarged views illustrating the ll h ifliiil i ll ASSIGNll IENTS, T .WlLLlAtZi H. ROTH,

VANlA.

OF PHlLAlJELPHlA,PENNSYL- Specification of ."Letters Entent.

Patented Oct. 30, 1906,

Application tiled Anril 2,1903. Serial No. 150,770.

To rel/J whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, IRA ROBBINS, a. citizen or the United States, residing 111 Flnlsdelplun,

Machine, of whichthe following is c. specii cation.

' My.invention consists of a new and improved machine designed for the purpose of stringing tags or other similar articles automatically.

, The tags to be strung are previously provided with apertures which may be eyeleted or left plain, through which apertures the st lng is to be passed with the looped end first, and the free ends ofseid string are then passed through this loop and the latter drawn agsinstthe tag.

In my improved machine the "tags are placed .in a suitable receptacle, from which they are fed one at n time by suitable mechanism to a runway, from which they pass directly to the mechanism. for inserting the My invention comprises, further, sutcmatic means for feeding the string'into positionand means for severing it in proper lengths. for use. ther features of my invention wili be pointed out hereinafter, retorence being'had to the accompanying drewings, in which-.

Figure 1 is a front elevetion of the machine forming the subject of my invention. Fig. is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow :r, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow y, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on the line a, c, Fig. 1, looking in the some direction as Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. A. Fig. 5 isa rear elevation oithe lower part of the machine. Fig. 6 is aplen'view of the machine, the up per part having been removedon the line b b, Fig. 1. Fig. 6* is an enlarged view of pertof Fig. 6v Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lowerpnrt of the machine, showing the driving mechanism, cams, and cam-shafts. Figs.

string-feeding mechanism forming part of my invention. Figs. 10 and 11 are enh rged sectional views of the tagpositioning means, showing the same-in two positions. Fig. is an enlarged view of the stringecutting knife.- Figs. 13 to 18, inclusive, are diagram viewsin perspective, illustrating the method of passing the string through the apertures oi the tags and securing such string in position.

The machine forming the subjectfoi' my invention has been designed more particulnrly for stringing what are known as ship-- ping-tsgs. It will be understood, however, that any kind of on sperturcd tag may be strong by the mechanism which 1 have em- "ployed inconnection with this machine, it only being necessary to change the size of the feeding and operating parts without altering the design of the machine or departing from the scope of the invention.

in describing my improved machine and the operation ol the some I will refer to the mechanism employed therein under several heads, winch may be designated as follows: first, the selector mechanism; second, means for operating the selector mechanism third, the runway or chute-for the tags; fourth, means for positioning the tags; fifth, the string-feeding mechanism and means for operating the same; sixth, the threading needle and means for operating the same; seventh, the looping mechanism and means for operating the some; eighth, the. main driving-shaft and its connections,nnd, ninth, the counter-shaft and the rock-shaftsl 1n the accompanying drawings the machine comprises the side frames 1, which are suitably braced at .2, the upper part of said -frames having projecting arms 3, to which arms a table 4 is hinged at 5.

The side'frames 1 cerr n cross-piece 6, upon which is mounted t e mechanism for holding the tag, the means for looping the string through the same, and the means for passing the free ends ofthe string through said loo ps. The main driving-shaft is shown at 7, below which a counter-shaft 8 is ar ranged, such counter-shaft controlling a number of movements of the machine. In i'ront oi the main driving-shaft and the counter-shalt is a cmn-shc'lt 9, a counter-shaftlO, and a pair .of rock-shafts 11 and 12, all of which are urallel to the main driving-shaft.

My macliine having been designed for-the pur Jose of stringing, tags the description naturellybcgin's with the mechanism for engagid delivering'one tag at s. time to the stringing mechanism and such engaging and "delivering mechanism 1 have termed the balsa for mechanism.+M0unted on the 19 and 20, such wheers receiving their movecrank lever 45.

ment by means of a belt 21, passing around a pulley 22, secured to the spindle 23, on which the gear-wheel is mounted, such belt receiging its movement from a pulley 24. on a cou nter-shaft 25, which shaft is in turn driven by means of a belt 26, passing over a pulley 27 on said shaft, said belt extending from a pulley'28 on the main driving-shaft 7 of the machine. At the rear of the pile of tags I provide a longitudinally-moving finger 30, which is reciprocated back and forth to engage the tag, such finger being provided with a suitable projection 31, adapted to enter the apertures of the tags, and thereby move the same forward for entrance between the rolls 17 and 18. The moving finger is carried. by a rod 32, connected, by means oi a crosspiece 33, to a rod 34 beneath the table 15, and this rod 34 is adapted to slide in bearings 35, secured to the under side of said table 15. The rod 34 is actuated by means oi an arm 36, slotted at 37 to engage a pin 38, carried by the cross-piece 33, and such arm is carried by a rock-shaft 3'9, journaled in suitable bearings 40 on the table 4. The rock-shaft is operated intermittently when it is desired to feed the tags by means of a bellcranlr pivoted at e6, such lever beit ular intervals by suitable means and 8V1?! an arm 47, connected to the rock-shaft by means of a link 48, pivoted to an arm 19, carried at the end oi said rock-shaft. As soon as a has been fed forward the finger 30 will be retracted by means of a spring 50, connected to the bell- As at present arranged the finger 36 en ages the forward wall of the aperture or hole of the tag, although it may be arranged to engage the rear of the tag or any other portion of the tag without departing from my invention. The rollers 17 and is are driven continuously during the intermittent movement otthe feeding devire.

M'ean-s for operating the 1 tier mar/[mnism.The bell-crank lever engaged by a projection carried by rod 56, whi rod is provided with a racked portion 57, said rod being vertically movable by means of the cam 58, the latter having a (am-groove 5i), engaging a roller 60, carried. by an arm 31, mounted on the end of the rock-shaft 12, the other end of said shai't carrying an arm 62, which engages an antitriciion-roller 63, mounted on said rod 56. The cam 58 is mounted on the short shaft 9, and this shaft isrotated'the'rod will be positively raised and lowered and at each movement will cause the engagement of the finger 30 with a tag, and

the latter will be fed forward.

T he run way or chutefor the tags.As soon as the tags leave the rollers 17 and 18 they drop into a guide-chute and pass down the same, the latter being provided with project ing sides 66, which prevent the escape of the tag, and at the front a spring-guard 67 is em ployed to impart slight tension and keep the tags in proper position, this guard being extended down to the point where the tags are strung and being further continued in the.

lug 7 3, carried by a disk 74 on the counter shaft 10, when said guard is to be moved into engagement with a tag.

ll [ca/ns for positioning the tags.-Mounted about the center of the machine are two rollers 75 and 76, (shown in enlarged views, Figs. 10 and 11,) and the engaging faces of these rollers lie midway of the chute 65. Carried by the roller 75 is a sleeve 77,- which has a projection 78, said sleeve being movable on the spindle, so that the tag in passing down this chute rests first in the seat formed by this projection 7 8 when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 1]. The rollers are preferably 'novided with annular ribs, as shown, for the purpose of lightening said rollers and also in order that the projection 78 for supporting the tags may be brought into the position shown in Fig. 11. As the tags drop down they are caught by the projection 78, the rollers being apart. The projection or support 78 is fully shown in Figs. 4, 4 10, and 11, and the spindle of the roller 75 is mounted in suitable bearings, one of which is enlarged to permit lateral movement of one end of said spindle and roller, so as to separate the latter from the roller 76. Such lateral movement of the roller, however, does not interfere with the operation of the pinion til), carried by its spindle and by which it is driven, as such pinion is always in mesh with the pinion 81 of" the roller 76. Movement is imparted to said rollers by a pinion 82, carried by the spindle of the roller 76 and in mesh with the rack 57 of the rod 56. To move the roller 75 away from the roller 76, (the bearings for its spindle permitting such movement) which places said roller 75 at a slight angle with respect to the roller 7 6, such action also moving the projection 78 into the position shown in Fig. 11 to support the tags for opmti'ng the some .--Tliis is clearly Fig.- 9.

dropped between the f rs tiie sir-eve 77 carrying sueli projection is engaged by a. lug 85, mounted on o root-shaft 86, journaled in bearings at the back of the machine. This shaft 86 carries at end tt.l;1tt11lz11111 88, having a side extension S9, *iguged l ven arm 90, carried by vert in bearings 92 st the l r The rod 91 carries arm 93, which tins arm is in turn 1 bell-crank lever pjwotzi. 9 5, secured to the ii of the machine, the other end 96 of said bell-(smirk lieir engaged by s pin 97, carried by s nub .15 1, i nted on tiie coin-shaft 9. il gen each tetion of tlie shaft 9, therefore, the bGll-C'i'itilli lever will lie moved and through the ineelutnism just described the projection 7* on the sleeve 7, carried by the roller will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 1%) to the position shown in Fig 1 1 for the purpose of supporting a tag. The rocking-rod :45 is returned to its of e, l

normal position, effecting (lie release of the sleeve and restoring the roller 75 to its piece 'in line with the roller Tie by means or u spring 79, connected one end to said rod 86 and at the opposite end to s fixed pert of the 11111- chine.

hen the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 11, the tags will be supported at the proper height to nerve the looped strings passed througli the apertures of the same. When the rollers are in the position shown in Fig. 10, they engage the tags that have just been strung, and when. the rod 56 is lowered, actuating the rollers 75 and 76, said tugs will be fed through and passed into the lower part of the chute 157.

The stringfeeding mechanism and mums sliown in the rear elevation, 5, and ei'ilerged views, Figs. 8 and 9. 100 end 101 represent two pairs of nippers for carrying the string (shown 2115102 in dotted lines) into position to be passed through the tags. The string is brought from any suitable source, enters the machine at the point 102, and

is first engaged by the nippers 100, Winch are adopted to slidewiiy 103 at the rear of the machine, bein curried back end forth in the same by meeniuiisin shortly to be described. When starting the operation of the machine, the string is int oduced to the nip-- pers 100 by hand, and tlie nippers 101 engego the end of the some when it is brought to the center of the ine by h ll nipp 1 and the two treine outwer: frame, leaving aperture 105 in The tion by means earriedby l'oi suitable oeer n t5 rose-piece u tiporteajl in this posisis 105, which are is? mounted in l i i iustuble arm 111 to engage the coin The rod 101) pus 112, ex-

tiu'ougli it projection tending from the nu sting rod 107, and has a pin 112 toengzwo the under side. of sold projection 1121mm en tlie letter is moved the striiig-sum'u:rtiug piece 100 will be held out oi"v the we As lietore noted, this projection roe supper toe string in position to be engaged by tine tlu'eiiding-needle; but it must be moved out oi the Way when it is desired to bring the nip; s lfi'l into position to engage at iresli end or string.

The nippei's are moved back and forth by the .lollou'ing-n" ins: .diiifill pair of nippers is carried member 120*, and on gaging; u nien'ibers are the genrwlioels l l 121, carried by the spindles 122 122*, suitably jourmiled in the 11111119 oi the machine. fit the opposite ends of these spindles pinions 1123 123 are carried, and engaging tliese pinions are the vertically-n1ovlLlJlQ iul5ll)zl1'5 124- .i; i- These l'itlflGlHUS are connected tmgotlrer by means ol' the crossbar 125, and t iis cross-bar is moved up and down to muse sztid ITILCdi-btt'l'S to engage the pinions 12 3-1 1225 by means oi the com 1213, mountedv on the camshaft J. This cum has it groove 127, to which n. roller 12b is adopted, ssid roller being carried by the upright 12%), to which the cross-piece 125 is attached.

As this cross-piece is raised and lowered, tlierel'ore carrying with it the two rack-burs 12 1 124, the gear-wheels 121 121 u will be rotated buck and forth and will tl'iereby more the pairs of nippers 100 and 101. The nippers 100 are normally closed, by means of tl e spring-arm 100, when moving forward and carrying the string into position to be engaged by the nippers 101, which are also moved iorwzrrd but after the string has been engaged by the said nippers 101. both setso'l nippers will be retracted, and it is necessary that the nippers 100 shall be opened to permit the passage of the string through the same during the rearward movement 01 said nippers, 'lliis opening ol'v the nippers is accomplished by means of the longitudinal bar 134, pivoted at 135, which bar is raised to engage n projection 13o, itl'l'llil at the rear of the nippers 100, and thereby open the for- Wurd ond of the some, such our 134 being raised by moons of a rod 1257, which is provided with it reduced end projecting through the bar 13 1, sueli reduced end forming shoulder to engage said bar. The rod 137 attached ttt its lower end to an arm 138, piroted st 139 to ii bracket 140, mounted on the "plate 13, end said arm is engaged by zt pin 141, curried by :i lace-plate 142, mounted on J ins rod is intended the countenslialt 8.

-projection 145 on said lever.

The bar 134 is normally in the lowered position, as shown in Figs. 5, 8, and 9, and. when in this position it engages a projection 145 of a lever 146, the lever being pivoted at 147 and held against the bar by a spring 148. When the rod 137 is raised, however, it is disengaged from the projection 145 and. the lever swings over and locks said bar against depression. To cause it to fall again and return the bar to its normal position, a projection 149 on'the rack member 120 engages the arm on said lever 146 and moves the same back, so that the bar 134 can fall clear of the This action takes place at the end of the rearward movement of the rack member 120, carrying the pair of nippers 100, and when these nippers close again they engage the string 102. As soon as the nipperslOl come forward they must be opened, as they are kept normally closed by the springs 151. To open them, therefore, I provide the pivoted projections 152 and 153, mounted on the slideway 103, each of which is prevented from movement in one direction by means of the stop-pins 154. The projections 152 and 153 lie in the path of the nippers 101 and engaging the rear of the same will cause the jaws to turn on their pivot and open ready to receive the end of the string, such nippers closing after passing the projections or cams 152 and 153. These projections or cams being pivoted, they do not act upon the nippers on the return stroke or when moving backward. Then the nippers 101 are retracted, pulling out the length of string desired for insertion in the tag, and as this is done the jaws of the nippers 101 must again be opened. This action is accomplished by means of the lever 160, which is operated by the rod 161 from a cam 162. Just prior to the end of the rearward movement of the nippers 101 the lever 160, which is upheld by a projection 163 on the rod 161, is allowed to fall by the downward movement of the rod, which enters a depression in the cam 162, and this movement of the lever permits the full retraction of the nippers. These nippers are opened when it is desired to insert the string in the tag by raising the rod 161 as the high portion of the cam contacts with it, and this action raises the lever 160, which acts upon the rear end of one jaw of the nippers 101, as shown 1n Fig." 9. As soon as the nippers 100 and 101 have been moved to their extreme outward position in the closed condition holding the string the latter is to be cut, and this is accomplished by the following means: Journaled in suitable bearings 165, carried by the cross-piece 6 of the frame, is a rock-shaft 166, carrying an upwardly-projecting arm 167 and a downwardly-projecting arm 168, which latter has a projection 169 at thelower end, engaged by a boss 170, mounted on the faceplate 142,

carried by the counter-shaftS. The 'arm167 the string. When the string 18 to be cut,

however, after the retraction of the nippers 100 the arm 167 is thrown forward by the engagement of the boss 170 with the end of the arm 168. The scissors will then embrace the string; but in order to cut it the movable blade 172 must be moved, and this is accomplished by the further movement of the arm 167, causing the engagement. ofthe projecting end 175 of the movable blade with a lug 176, carried on the upper slideway 103. A spring 177 is coiled around the shaft 166, being attached to said shaft at one end and at the other end to a fixed part of the frame, so that it will be partly wound by the initial movement of the rock-shaft, and the tension thus created will serve to return said shaft and its parts to their normal position as soon as the boss 170 releases the end of the arm 168. The spring 174 will then return the pivoted blade of the scissors to the normal open position. This cutting of the string takes place, of course, when the nippers have been retracted to engage a fresh supply of string, the cut being in advance of said. nippers and after the engagement of the same with the string, so that the latter will be taut, V

the scissors being in such relative position to the nippers, as shown by dotted lines in Fig.

9, as to leave an end to be grasped by the nip: pers 101 when brought to the central position.

The threading-needle and means, for operating the same.The threading-needle is fully shown in Figs. 4 and 6 and in the perspective views, Figs. 13 to 18, inclusive. This needle (indicated at 180) is reciprocated back and forth by suitable mechanism, and when the string is held across the opening and in line with the aperture in one of the tags the needle is brought forward, its notched end 181 engaging the string and carrying the loop 179 of the same through the hole in the tag. The position of the threading-needle with relation to the other parts of the machine is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6. This needle is mountedin suitable bearings 182 on the table 183 and is free to slide in said bearings. To move it back and forth, the following mechanism is employed: 185 represents a rod which has at the upper end an arm 186, pivotally connected at 187 to the needle 180, the needle being rovided with a pair of arms 188, between wliich the pivotal connection works. At the lower end of this rod 185 is an arm 189, carrying a't the and a LII the loop 179 ofthe string.

counter-shaft seems therefore, the cam-191 will engage the arm 189, rocking the rod 185, and thereby eliecting the forward movement of the needle. This needle is moved positively to engage the string and .li'orce the same into the aperture of the tag, but is returned'to its normal posi tion by means ol the spring 195, which spring is.coiled around the lower ond'oi the rod, one end being fixed to the arm 18), while the other end is fixed to the socket 19s. The counter-shaft 8, which carries the disk 192, is driven, with the rest of the mechanism of the machine, in manner shortly'to be described. The forward die-1S0 is timed to take place when the tag is held in the chute by the engagement of the movable front or of said chute.

The looping mechanism and mam- 3 for pcrat'ng the immediately above the point of outlet of the needle 1S0, withthe string, is a hook 200, carried by the crosspiece .8, and mounted in suitable bearings 200*, secured to the face of this cross-piece and directly below this hook, is a rockshat't 261, having lingers 202, adapted to engage The roc i-"shat't carries a pinion 202", by which motion is received from a ver icallymioving rack-rod Z03, engaging said pinion, said rod-being actuated by means of a cam 204, carried by the 10. The rod is supported by an arm 203*, which alternately rises as the cam is rotated, and this arm is pivotally mounted on a bracket 204*, suitably secured to the plate 13, carried by the lower part of the machine, These fingers 202 pass on both sides or" the hook 200 when the rock shaft is turned, as shown in Figs. 15, 16, and i7, and the loop is carriedaround by said fingers. These fingers cause the loop of the string; to spread, permitting the entrance of the hook 265 to engage'the rear ends ot the same, which have been held meanwhile. 'lhe ho 2% is passed rearvardly to one at" the ends of the string, and when nohind. such endsthe hook is given a lateral rich causes it to engage the string. Upon the return movement oi the hook the ends of the string will be brought through the looped portion of the some held by the hovers 202. Meanwhile the tag has beeumuseu to descend by toe turning ot the rollers 75 and To which have inter-inittent rotary movement, caught, by the hook and pulled through the loop are held so that the tag in its descent will pull said ends tight up against the aperture in the Before the tag has descended, of course, the rock-shaft 201 has been given a reverse movement, so as to move the fingers 282' to release the loop of the string.

and the string ends 1 l l l l string, and this operation is inent than during the forwar- The hook 205 is movable in a slide-bearing 206 on the bracket 207, which is carried by the front of the machine. This hook is moved by an arm 308, connected to said hook at 209 and at its lower end secured to the roclcsliaft 11 This rock-shaft is mounted in suitable bearings and carries at 'its opposito end an arm 2-1;, which engages a earn 213, carried by the cam-shalt k This cam is shaped and timed so as to move the hook 305 into the loop of the string at the proper time to on'gago lhe free ends of the same and d "aw them through the loop. The forward movement of the hook 205 is-straight until it passes within the loop of the string. It is then necessary to move the hook to one side in order to pass it behind and then engage the l'rec ends ol" the string. To accomplish this, the hook .205 carries a projection 215, having an engaging face are, adapted to contact with aiixod piece 217, carried by the bracket This engagement causes the hook 205 to move lateral y, bringing its end into engagement with the 'r'rle ends of the carried out as follows: The )rojeotiou 215, carried by the hook-spindle, nus a movabl dog 21S, controlled by a spring 2'19, and this dog and the face 2H5 of the projection are adapted to engage the cam-lucos 217 and 217" of" the "fixed piece 217 for the purpose of changing the lateral position of the hook 205 during its to-and lro movement On the forward move men t oi the nook the engagement of the face Z'li'; with the ca rn-face 'l'lT oi" the 'lixed ioce 2i 7 causes the lateral movement of said rook after it has entered the loopof the string, and during this movement the dog '21 S rides alorg with the projection 215 without actively al testing the position of the hook. Upon the return movement 'of the hook, however, the spring will cause the dog to assume its eX tended positiornend it will then engage the face 217, and as the hook is retracted along the fixed iece 217 it will be maintained in the lateral position to which it was moved upon. the forward movement and will'be drawn through the loop the string. it will be noted that this arrangement oi the mechanism causes the hook to behold in the lateral position for a longer period of time during the rearward moveorder that it ma clear the loop with the free ends-of the string. The hook is'movcd forward by the arm 20S, carried by the rockshaft 1i, \vlirich "is controlled by the earn 113, and its rearward movement is effected by the spring me as soon as the cam releases said rookshalt. To accommodate the hook on its forward i'uovement, the cross-piece 6 is provided with an aperture 221' directly below the opening 105 for the passage of the needle and string.

with the free ends of.

d movement in The bearing 206 is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis 206 so as to be capable of turning slightly when the hook 205 is given its lateral movement. The forward end of the hook-spindle passes through a bearing-block 210, which is hinged at 211 to the bracket 207, such block swinging on its hinge as the hook is moved laterally. The position of 5 this block is determined by the set-screw 222, and its sidewise or lateral movement is limited by the set-screw 223. By this means the entering position of the hook may be accurately determined and fixed- As soon as the hook 205 engages the free ends of the string and starts back pulling them through the loop the tag is moved downwardly by the engaged ment of the moving rollers and 76 with the same, and it becomes necessary to draw these free ends their entire length through the loop, so as to bring the latter in the tied position close against the tag. For the urpose of holding the strings after they have been pulled through the loop by the hook and while the tag is being carried away I employ an arm 225, having a side extension 225 which is disposed in such position that it may be raised into engagement with the rockshaft 201, the two members thus forming a clamp to engage the free ends of the string, whic are disposed between these members during the rearward movement of the hook, and impart sufficient tension thereto to draw the loop of the string taut against the tag. The arm 225 is carried by a lever 226, ivoted at 227 to a post 228,- carried by the racket 207. During the forward movement of the hook the arm 225 is in the lowered position; but on the return of said hook it is raised into engagement with the rock-shaft 201 by means of a pin 229, carried by the hook-holder, which engages a cam projection 230 on the rear end of said lever 226.

Driving mechanism for the m.ac7i ine.This comprises the main driving-shaft and its connections and the countershafts, rock-shafts, and cam-shaft. the machine (indicated at 7 in the accompanying drawings) carries at one end a ulley 235, from which pulley said shaft is riven and by itall the other parts of the machine. This shaft also carries the ulley 28, by means of which a portion of t e tag-feedirw mechanism is driven. At the 0 posite end of the shaft 7 is a pinion 236, meshing with a gear-wheel 237, carried by the counter-shaft 8, said gearwheel meshing with an intermediate gear-wheel 238, carried by the camshaft 9, and said intermediate gear-wheel meshes with a gear-wheel 139, carried by the counter-shaft 10. Mounted on the camshaft 9 is the cam 126, which has a cam-path 127 formed in the face of the same, and within this cam-path a roller 128, carried by the rod 129, engages, whereby the rack-rods controlling the movement of the gear-wheels 12.1

The main driving-shaft of 121 may be raised. The counter-shaft 8 dle 180. The cam-shaft 9 carries the cam .58,

which controls the movement of the rod 56 through the medium of the rock-shaft 12, said rod actuating the tag-feedin means and the. cam 213, which actuates thehookt 205 through the medium of the rock-shaft 11. The counter-shaft 10 carries the disk 74, having a cam-lug 73, which controls the position of the movable front 67 of the chute through the medium of the arm 68. This shaft 10 also carries the cam 204, which operates the rock-shaft 202 through the medium of the rack-rod 203 and the lever 203i. 7

The entire operation of the machine is automatic, the parts acting together and the movements being synchronous, so that each operation in the movement and stringing of the tag naturally follows the previous one.

For tags ofdiiferent size the chute may be widened or contracted, as desired, as the brackets 240, carrying the same, are slotted at 241 to provide for such adjustment, said brackets being retained in place by the bolts 242.

The position of the rollers 75 and 76 is also adjustable with respect to the rest of the machine should it become desirable to operate upon tags of varying sizes. The frame 245,

carrying these rollers, is hung from a bracket- 246, which is slotted at 247 to permit of this adjustment, said frame being held to the bracket by means of a bolt 248 passing through said slot. This bracket 246 is carried by the bracket 183. All of the other parts of the feeding and operating mechanism are adjustable, so as to accommodate.

such chan es.

Althoug I have shown and described certain parts and elements as forming the machine for carrying out the ob'ect of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction so shown and described, as it is obvious that numerous changes and modifications may be made without affecting the broad idea of the invention.

Although I have shown and described machine as having a vertical feed for my the tags, it will be understood that with but slight modifications the mechanism can be" arran ed to feed and string the tags in a horizont. Iposition.

Although I have shown and described In machine as operating upon a single tag, it will be understood that a portion of the same mechanism could be extended to act upon a series of tags at a single 0 oration, the driving mechanism being su :cient to operate several tag-feeding, string feeding and cutting, and looping devices simultaneously.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure hy'lietters Potent 1. The combination in a tag-stringing ma chine, of menus for feeding epertured' tags, means for loopiugstrings through the spertures of the tags, a hook coucting with said menus for effecting the tying of said string,

tures of the tags, it hook coecting with said menus for etl'ecting the tying of said string, and menus for passing snid hook through the loop, moving it laterally to engnge the ends of the string, end'retrscting it through the loop with said ends.

. 3. The comhinstion in o tng-stringing ma chine, of means for feeding sperturod tags, menus for intermittentlvnrresth 0 he movement of said tugs, memis for inse'niug looped strings through t'heholes of the tugs, s hook arranged to pass through said loops and enthe free ends of the string, menus for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and resrwurdly to draw the tree ends oi the string through the loop and ell'oct the tying operation, means for retaining the ends of the string, and menus for positively moving the tags otter the string ends have been pulled through the loop.

The combination in e tng-stringing ma chine, of tug-feeding menus, stringdeeding means, menus for cutting the string, menus for looping sold string through the eye of the tog, {L hook arranged to pass through said loop stnd engnge the free ends of the string,

and means for moving said hook forwardly,

laterally and rearwardly to ofl'ect the tying of the string.

5. The combination in n tug-stringing mm chine, of menus for feeding :iperturei'l tegs, means for looping string through the spertures of the some, a. hook irrm'iged to pass through said loop in both directions to engage and pull the free ends of the string through the loop, means for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and renrwerdly lo eil'eet the tying operation, menus for retniin ii 7 the ends of the string, and meters [oi-moving the tags todrnw the loop taut against the same. 1

6. The combination in ii tag-stringing machine, oiineens for feeding spertnred tags, positioning; devices for the some, n'ienns for feeding and Cutting the string, menus for looping and passing the string through the n erture of the tags, a hook arranged to pass t rough said loop and engage the free ends of the string, and means for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and renrwardly to effect the tying of the string.

7. The combination in s tug-stringing machine, of tag leeding means, positioning means for the same,stringlceding means, means for outting snid string into suitable lengths, menus lor looping and passing the looped end'of' the strim through the operture of the tags, it hoon arranged to pass through said loop and engage the free ends of the string, means for moving said hook for win'dly, laterally :md renrivzu'dly to effect the tying of the-string, and means for importing tension to the free ends of the string and edviznoing the tug whereby the loop will he drown taut against the tag.

The combination in a tag-stringing maehine, of menus for intermittentlyfeeding tn gs, positioning men-us for the tags, stringieeding menus, menus for cutting seid'string into sections of suitehle length, menus for looping and passing the looped end of the stringeections throughthe aperture in the tags, it hook itll'tllgfid to pass through said loops'snd engage the free ends of the string, means for moving said hook forwardly, latter ally end renrnnrriilly.to effect the tying of the string, end means for importing tensiorrto said free ends and :ulinncmg the tag whereb the loop will he drown tout against the tag.

i). in s n'nichine lor stringing tugs, tagieeding lllQ-OdztlllSfIl, a chute lending therefrom, s roller at the lower part of said chute, a sleeve carried by said roller and having a projection to engage the tags whereby the latter may he positioned, means for looping :1 string through the aperture of said tags, and means for tying said string.

10. In n tn.gstringing nmchine, tag-leech ing mechanism, a chute lending therefrom, a supplemental feed-roller at the lower part of said chute, i sleeve carried by said roller and having it projection to support the tags whereby the letter rosy be positioned, means for'looping n string through the aperture of said lugs, means for tying said string, and :tnotlu-r roller, said rollers operating inten mittently to more the tings litter the stringtying operation.

11. in :1 trig-stringing machine, teg-feed ing mechanism, including a bed for the tags, it chute loading therefrom, it roller at the bottom oi said chute, :1. sleeve enrried by said roller, :1' 'n'ojoction curried lherohy l'or positioning the tugs, string feeding and cutting menus, menus l or looping suid string through the nperiiuo ol" the to and menus for tying ssid string.

in it l lringing nnichine, tag-feeding meelnnisxn, iuriudiug 1a lJNl for the tags, it chute le ding therefrom, a pair of rollers at the hottoiii of sold chute lor intermittently moving the tons, one of snid rollers having a sleeve, 2t projci'tion for positioning the tags carried by said sleeve, string feeding and cu F throng ranged to pass through said loop and engage the free ends .of the string, and means for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and rearwardly through said loo to engage and draw the string ends through the same.

14. In a tag-stringing machine, the combination of the tag feeding and'positioning mechanism, string feeding and cutting mechanism, a needle for passing the looped end of the string through the aperture of the tags, fingers to engage said loop and spread the same, a hook for passing through said loop,

and means for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and rearwardly through the loop to engage and draw the string ends through the same.

'15. In a tag-stringing machine, the combiination of tag feeding and positioning mechanism, "string-feeding mechanism comprising laterally-movable nippers, means for moving said nippers, means for cutting said string into proper lengths, means for passing the string through the aperture of the tags to form a loop, means for spreading said loop, a hook arranged to pass in the opposite direction through the loo and means for moving said hookforwardiy, wardly through the loop to engage and draw the string ends through the same.

16. In a tag-stringing machine, the combination of tag feeding and positioning means, string-feeding mechanism comprising laterally-movable nippers, means for moving said nippers, means for cutting said string into proper lengths, a needle adapted to pass through the hole of the tags and carry a looped end of the string, means to engage the looped end and spread the same, a hook arranged to pass through the loop, and means for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and rearwardly through the loop to engage and draw the string ends through the same.

17. I11 a tag-stringing machine, the combination of tag feeding and positioning means, string feeding and cutting means, a needle arranged to pass through the hole in the tags with a looped end of the string, a hook arranged to ass in the opposite direction through said ihop, fingers coacting with said needle to open the loop, means for moving saidhook forwardlyand rearwardly to pick up and carry the free ends of the string through the loo and cams arranged to move said hook aterally during its forward and rearward movement to cause it to engage'and hold said free ends of the string.

laterally and rear-- hook to engage and hold the free ends of the string, said means comprising a cam to move the hook laterally during a part of its for ward movement and another cam to holdit in such position during its rearward movement.

19. In a tag-stringing machine, the combination of tag feeding and positioning means. string feeding and cutting means, a needle arranged to pass a looped end of the string through the hole in the tags, fingers coacting with needle to open the loop, a hook arranged to pass through the loop and engage the free ends of the string, means for moving said hook forwardly, laterally and rearwardly through the loop to engage and draw the free ends of the string through the same, and means for advancing the tag and holding the string whereby the looped portion of the latter will be caught tightly against said tag. 20. The combination in a tag-stringing machine, of means for feeding apertured tags, string-feeding mechanism comprising two sets. of sliding nippers, suitable ways for said nippers, one set of the nippers engaging the-end of the string and the other set of nippers permitting the free passage of the string through the same at certain intervals, means for moving said nippers, means for opening and closing the same, means for looping the string through the apertures of the tags, and means for tying the string.

21. The combination in a tag-stringing machine, of means for feeding apertured tags, string-feeding mechanism comprising two sets of sliding nippers, suitable ways for said nippers, means for reciprocating said nippers, one set of said nippers engaging the end of the string at the termination of the .inward movement of the same and the other set of nippers engaging the string at the termination of the outward movement of the same, cams for opening said nippers, springs for closing said nippers, means for looping the string through the apertures of the tags, and means for tying the string.

22'. The combination in a tag-stringing machine, of means for feeding apertured tags, string-feeding means com rising two sets of nippers movable towar and from each other, means for moving said nippers,

means for opening and closing the same, one

of said sets of nippers being opened when the other is closed and vice versa, and means for looping and tying the string. 

